Sightings of Oiled Birds and Timber off Shepway

6.58.00pm GMT Sat 26th Jan 2008

Sharon Bowles MEP with Hazel Thorpe, inspecting the timber that has washed up on Worthing's beach

Timber from the ship Ice Prince has been washed up onto beaches at Folkestone. There have been some sightings of timber off Dungeness but this is likely to wash up at Hythe.

Any reports of oiled seabirds coming ashore on the Kent coast should be reported immediately to the RSPCA on 0870 7531953 - where they will be forwarded directly to the RSPCA Duty Inspector for action. A location should be given but no attempt should be made to pick up or trap the birds as this is likely to do more damage.

The Greek-registered ship "Ice Prince" went down about 26 miles (42km) off Portland on 15 January.

Some beaches along the south coast of England remain shut after 2,000 tonnes of timber from the ship washed ashore. The beaches, from the Sussex coast at Ferring as far east as Hastings, have been closed to prevent looters helping themselves to the wood, which is several feet deep on the tide line.

Local MEP Sharon Bowles has visited one of the affected beaches at Worthing. She said:

"This is an example of one of the extra problems that councils in coastal areas have to face. Right now the timber has to be guarded from scavenging, despite its dubious value, and it needs to be prevented from being refloated by the tide.

"The clear up will cost money, and as we know from previous accidents and oil spills, it may well take a significant time before the shipping insurers pay compensation."

After the ship sunk, Sussex Police issued a warning to say removing the timber is unlawful, and if people continue to take the wood, they could be liable to prosecution and arrest under the Merchant Shipping Act.

Mariners, windsurfers and canoeists have been warned that the floating wood could cause a serious accident. The 10m (33ft) lengths of sawn wood were put on board in bundles, but sea conditions broke many of them apart.

All timber sighted must be reported to Solent Coastguard by telephoning: 02392 559021 or 02392 559022.